Ragtime Analysis: Captivity and Fake Freedom

    For my first blog post, I will be writing about captivity, a theme present in the lives of many characters in Ragtime. This does not necessarily mean actual incarceration, but rather being constricted by a certain idea, location, or societal norm. This post will compare and contrast three different characters, and their different experiences with this theme.

    The first character I will be discussing is Harry Houdini. Obviously, there is the argument of physical imprisonment as his entire public persona is that of an escape artist, but that is not what I am referring to. In reality, the reason I am writing about him is his emotional struggles, and how they prevent him from performing or focusing on anything else in his life. Originally, this is set off by his mothers death. He is consumed by it, unable to do or think about anything else. He turns to spiritualism, which even he acknowledges as false, to hear her last words, and even attends a seance dressed as an old woman in an attempt to connect with her. It is almost as if he needs to be consumed by something, first by his performing, then by her death, and then by flying his airplane, in order to be satisfied in life. Without something to constrain his constant attention, he loses his spark for life. This idea is also prevalent among other characters in the book, such as Mothers Younger Brother, who need a driving factor to keep them going.

    The second character I will be discussing is Evalyn Nesbit. Originally, she is satisfied with her life. As the wife of a rich man, she can do whatever she wants whenever, or so she thinks. In reality, she is bound to the life she has married into, and the societal norm placed on her. She is forced to be nothing more than just a pretty face. The death of her husband, but more importantly, her acquaintance of Emma Goldman, really show to her how caged she has been. It allows her to finally get out into the world and pursue things she becomes passionate about. I think this book does a good job of showing that while she appears to live the life she wants, it is a life of blissful ignorance. In living her own life, not one supported by a husband or able to be viewed by the public, she is able to relieve herself of the societal norms placed upon her. A perfect example that shows the moment this occurs is when she takes off her corset with Emma Goldman, freeing herself from her 'cage'.

    The final character I will be discussing is Tateh. His 'captivity' is different than the other three, in the fact that he is contained by his location, rather than an idea or norm. Originally immigrating from Latvia, he settles in New York City, seeking out the American dream. However, he is quickly disillusioned, and with his daughter he moves around cities before eventually settling in Atlantic City and making his living as a filmmaker. His life in New York is a miserable one, and the 'betrayal' by Evalyn Nesbit sets off his journey, leading him to a happier and more prosperous life outside of the city. By moving, he can experience a different environment, one in which his life can begin to take off. One can also say the thing he is freed of is socialism, abandoning his old ideologies and beliefs for more capitalistic ones as his moviebook business begins to take off. 

    Doctorow uses the struggles of these three characters to convey themes present during the early 20th century in America: spiritualism/new technologies, societal norms, especially those of women, and differing political or cultural beliefs between the large mix of immigrants. While their stories may not be similar, they can each give us a glimpse of the past, and how freedom has changed since then.